Police investigating the shooting of a dog being walked by its owner in Cumbria say it could have been worrying livestock.

Cumbria Police started an inquiry when the miniature labradoodle was shot dead at Birkrigg Common, Little Urswick, near Ulverston, on 26 December.

They have been seeking the occupants of a Land Rover over the shooting.

They said several witnesses had now come forward to suggest the dog had been worrying sheep.

Insp Kevin Spedding, of Cumbria Police, said: "We managed to trace a witness earlier this week who has presented us with a view of the events that afternoon which suggest that the dog was worrying livestock at the time, causing sheep to run out into moving traffic.

"We are now looking into whether this was the case and are appealing directly to motorists who may have witnessed this incident - or a part of it - to come forward."